Former Cardinal Jim Edmonds was dropped like a hot potato by the San Diego Padres. The Cubs picked him up just as quickly. In doing so, the Cubbies add a veteran left-handed bat and a former gold-glove winning outfielder. Granted, the 37-year-old Edmonds (38 in June) may be well past his prime, but he may yet have something in his tank. The team will pay Edmonds a prorated share of the league minimum, which will total about $290,000. A very small risk.
Edmonds is a career .286 hitter, but was batting .178 in just 26 games for the Padres this season. He started the season on the DL with a strained calf and was activated on April 5. There was some suggestion he may have rushed his return. Other observers feel he may just be winding down a once stellar career. While he has most likely lost some quickness in the field as well, playing in the smaller Wrigley Field outfield should help him out. Besides, his defense used good instinct as much as speed. There are others yet that saw improvement at the plate in his final few weeks prior to being dropped by San Diego (he hit .278 for his 18 May at bats). No matter, the Cubs have risked nothing and may see great benefits from this move.
The immediate impact sends Pie down to the minors, where he can take the opportunity to work on his swing. Additionally, Reed Johnson may see a reduction in playing time. However, only if the Edmonds experiment works. Johnson certainly knows the way the wind blows and will adjust given the team player he is.
There is much debate about how the fans will react to a former rival such as Edmonds joining the club. I am passionate about the Cubs and I love the good old rivalries, but it is more about the uniform than any particular player. Edmonds fell in the villain category more for his performance on the field against the Cubs than for any other action (as compared to something like Clemens' bat shard incident). I welcome him gladly. I hope he brings the same intensity to the Cubs.
Some people have called Edmonds out for being a bad or surly teammate. Someone that keeps to himself. I've heard this for years. Jason Marquis (a Cardinal from 2004-06) all but squashed that yesterday on Mac, Jurko and Harry AM1000. Marquis had nothing of the sort to say about Edmonds. I assume that, like most people, Edmonds is not universally liked. That doesn't mean he is a major clubhouse boil. I think there are enough solid veterans on this club to keep one person from upsetting the apple cart. Tune in today, as Edmonds likely gets a start when Dempster faces off against Maddux in what may be Maddux's final start at Wrigley.
In other news, pinch-hitter extraordinaire Daryle Ward will be heading to the DL for two weeks with a back injury (herniated disc). Micah Hoffpauir may get the call up. Hoffpauir looked good at the plate during the spring and has spent some time in right field this season in an effort to make him more viable for a call to the big club.
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